Break It Down!: March 2017

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

When The Best Man for the Job is a Woman: Silver's Golden Idea

It's time to Break It Down!

In a couple of previous posts I’ve written about the NBA and it’s efforts to integrate females into the fabric of its coaching rubric. In 2014, the Spurs hired Rebecca (Becky) Hammon as an Assistant Coach. I first mentioned her in a post on August 6, 2014, entitled, “First The Spurs Won The Title: Now They Are Making History!” That story detailed the Spurs opting to bring her into the organization. Subsequently, I reprised her as a subject July 22, 2015, in a post entitled, “The Spurs and Becky Hammon: Another Chapter Added!”

This story discussed her leading the Spurs to the Championship of the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League the previous Monday evening. In a recent footnote, in February, Hammon became the first Female Assistant Coach for an NBA All-Star Team (coincidentally, the winning West squad). Clearly, even though she largely flies beneath the radar, she is amassing serious NBA coaching bona fides. However, if one takes a step back, low profile notwithstanding, it should not come as a surprise that the League, which like other professional sports businesses, is exploring staging teams internationally, is also looking for ways to leverage its commitment to this element of coaching diversity.

NBA Commissioners are noted for their heavy involvement with various League protocols. Former Commissioner David Stern, who at one time responded to his concern about the image of NBA Players actually instituted a dress code to ensure that players comported themselves in an acceptable manner, sartorially speaking. To that end, it is conceivable that if this Commissioner believes (and it is clear he does) the League will benefit by adding women to its coaching carousel, it almost certainly will do so. Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN discussed the matter with Commissioner Adam Silver and reported that the Commissioner not only believes it could happen, but that it could happen in the near, or at least, not-to-distant future. According to the ESPN reporter, Silver said:

“There definitely will (Be a female NBA Coach), and I think it is on me to sort of ensure that it happens sooner rather than later. There's ‘"absolutely no reason"’ a woman can't handle an NBA head-coaching role.

He added, the league is "very focused" on making it happen. He mentioned three leading possibilities in the pipeline that might break the proverbial glass ceiling, according to ESPN:

· Becky Hammon, Assistant Coach, San Antonio Spurs

· Nancy Lieberman, Assistant Coach, Sacramento Kings

· Natalie Nakase, Assistant Video Coordinator, Los Angeles Clippers

In an interview to promote both the league and Leanin.org’s new campaign to raise gender-equity awareness, Commissioner Silver indicated that the league also hopes to hire additional female game officials as the referee roster increases by 25 percent over the next three seasons. Lauren Holtkamp is the only woman currently officiating games. Violet Palmer and Dee Kanter have previously officiated league contests.

In a completely different camp than Silver is radio host Mike Francesa. During a recent broadcast, Francesa said a woman has no shot at being a head coach, and if one were to be hired, it would be a publicity stunt. The Commissioner, in responding to Francesa’s suggestion noted that in coaching, there are no physical requirements, unlike with players. He went on to say:

When it comes to coaching, there is absolutely no physical requirement. When it is not a function of how high you can jump or how strong you are, there is no physical litmus test to being a head coach in the league. There is absolutely no reason why a woman will not ascend to be a head coach in this league. We are very focused in on it."

Years ago a similar debate centered on whether people who never played in the NBA could coach in the league. Obviously, that concern has long since been vanquished. People with a public forum, such as Francesa can surely escalate the topic as a key point of discussion. One person, in addition to Commissioner Stern, who doesn’t consider Francesa’s point to be pertinent, is Spur’s Coach Gregg Popovich (Hammon’s boss). In fact, the word “Pop” used to describe Francesa’s comment is nonsense. Incidentally, Hammon recently turned down an offer to coach the University of Florida’s Women’s Basketball Team, in order to focus on becoming the first woman coach in the NBA. Popovich added that he views the matter of the first female head coach in the NBA as a societal issue, and that he doesn’t see Hammon the first female anything. As he went on to put it:

“In America, we are great at sticking our heads in the sand and being behind the rest of the world in a whole lot of areas. We think we are this big democratic, fair place. But you look at our world now, whether it's gender-wise or racially or religiously, there's all kinds of stuff that is not the way it's supposed to be.”

"I think a female coaching a team these days has a lot to do with the people on the teams maturing as individuals, as members of a society understanding that it's not about any of those things. It's about talent. It's about respect. People like Becky over time will gain respect and people will understand that this is possible. It can happen. It's like women getting the vote. Think about how long that took before change was made."

"I think since 2000 changes have been pretty damn lacking in a lot of ways. I think people are fed up with it, injustice, and people not respecting other people's space and who they are. I think it's a step in the right direction."

Ultimately, we do not know when a woman will join the ranks of NBA coaches. After all, how many woman coach men’s D-1 college basketball teams? The answer to that question is zero. In fact, there has only been one, and she only coached one game, as a result of a quirky set of circumstances. Teresa Phillips, Athletic Director at Tennessee State University, appointed herself coach for a game during which the incumbent had to sit out due to players fighting during a game. I admire Commissioner Silver’s instincts and intentions. I believe he will, if he stays around long enough, make it happen. But let’s be clear, he’s swimming against the tide. I’m pulling for him though. “When the Best Man for the Job is a Woman: Silver’s Golden Idea!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

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Consult the links below for more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700391-adam-silver-wants-a-woman-as-nba-head-coach-sooner-than-later?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

https://thesphinxofcharlotte.com/2015/07/22/the-spurs-and-becky-hammon-another-chapter-added/

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5516202214514810687#editor/target=post;postID=9175551925371279615;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=140;src=postname

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_National_Basketball_Association_head_coaches

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/adam-silver-believes-woman-will-be-nba-head-coach-sooner-than-later/vp-BByY9VL

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/sports/2017/03/28/adam-silver-believes-woman-nba-head-coach-'sooner-than-later'/99724986/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/ct-adam-silver-first-female-nba-coach-20170328-story.html

http://www.si.com/nba/video/2017/03/28/adam-silver-woman-nba-head-coach-sooner-later

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTIUOJsEv6M

http://www.espnsa.com/adam-silver-will-female-nba-head-coach-sooner-rather-later/

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2014/04/05/teresa-philips-tsu-ncaa-basketball-legendary-lady/7348299/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Francesa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

The 30th White House Press Secretary: When Spinning Spun Out of Control

It's time to Break It Down!

For much of our history as a nation, the first 140 years to be precise, there was no formal position as White House Press Secretary (WHPS). However, over the past 88 years, 12 Administrations, and 15 Presidents, we have had 30 people, and counting, serve in that capacity, plus at least two people who served as Acting, or De Facto in the job. Twenty-three of those, twenty-five if you count the interims, served during my lifetime. One, James Hagerty, who held the position during the entire Eisenhower administration, stands out for having had the longest tenure on record (8 years, or two entire Presidential terms).

The WHPS is a senior White House official whose principal job is to serve in the role of spokesperson for the executive branch of the United States government administration, particularly for the President, senior executives, and for policies articulated by the administration. Key responsibilities of the office include collecting information on matters taking place within the administration, and articulating the administration’s reactions to events and developments worldwide. The WHPS regularly interacts with the media, typically including daily briefings with the White House press corps.

The individual occupying the position serves by the appointment and at the pleasure of the President. This position does not require the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Despite this distinction, the position is considered a very prominent post.

Chart Listing White House Press Secretaries

#	Officeholder	Term start	Term end	President
1	George E. Akerson	March 4, 1929	March 16, 1931	Herbert Hoover
2	Theodore Joslin	March 16, 1931	March 4, 1933	Herbert Hoover
3	Stephen Early	March 4, 1933	March 29, 1945	Franklin D. Roosevelt
4	Jonathan W. Daniels	March 29, 1945	May 15, 1945	Franklin D. Roosevelt
4	Jonathan W. Daniels	March 29, 1945	May 15, 1945	Harry S. Truman
5	Charlie Ross	May 15, 1945	December 5, 1950
	Stephen Early Acting	December 5, 1950	December 18, 1950
6	Joseph Short	December 5, 1950	September 18, 1952
7	Roger Tubby	September 18, 1952	January 20, 1953
8	James Hagerty	January 20, 1953	January 20, 1961	Dwight D. Eisenhower
9	Pierre Salinger	January 20, 1961	March 19, 1964	John F. Kennedy
9	Pierre Salinger	January 20, 1961	March 19, 1964	Lyndon B. Johnson
10	George Reedy	March 19, 1964	July 8, 1965	Lyndon B. Johnson
11	Bill Moyers	July 8, 1965	February 1, 1967
12	George Christian	February 1, 1967	January 20, 1969
13	Ron Ziegler	January 20, 1969	August 9, 1974	Richard Nixon
14	Jerald terHorst	August 9, 1974	September 9, 1974	Gerald Ford
15	Ron Nessen	September 9, 1974	January 20, 1977	Gerald Ford
16	Jody Powell	January 20, 1977	January 20, 1981	Jimmy Carter
17	James Brady¹	January 20, 1981	March 30, 1981/ January 20, 1989	Ronald Reagan
	Larry Speakes¹ Acting	March 30, 1981	February 1, 1987
18	Marlin Fitzwater¹ Acting: 1987–1989	February 1, 1987	January 20, 1993
18	Marlin Fitzwater¹ Acting: 1987–1989	February 1, 1987	January 20, 1993	George H. W. Bush
	George Stephanopoulos² De facto	January 20, 1993	June 7, 1993	Bill Clinton
19	Dee Dee Myers^{2, 3}	January 20, 1993	December 22, 1994
20	Mike McCurry	December 22, 1994	August 4, 1998
21	Joe Lockhart	August 4, 1998	September 29, 2000
22	Jake Siewert	September 30, 2000	January 20, 2001
23	Ari Fleischer	January 20, 2001	July 15, 2003	George W. Bush
24	Scott McClellan	July 15, 2003	May 10, 2006
25	Tony Snow	May 10, 2006	September 14, 2007
26	Dana Perino	September 14, 2007	January 20, 2009
27	Robert Gibbs	January 20, 2009	February 11, 2011	Barack Obama
28	Jay Carney	February 11, 2011	June 20, 2014
29	Josh Earnest	June 20, 2014	January 20, 2017
30	Sean Spicer	January 20, 2017	Present	Donald Trump

It goes without question, the WHPS is, and has always been, a challenging job. In contemporary parlance, the party in question must be comfortable and adept at spinning. Surely, he or she must do so on a daily basis. Spinning is an art. Dee Dee Myers, Bill Clinton’s first WHPS (he had four), said of the practice:

“Spinning is not lying, but rather marshaling the facts in service of an argument.”

She is not the only practitioner to address the subject. Larry Speakes, who held the position under Ronald Reagan, framed it thusly:

“Spinning aims to minimize the damage by surrounding bad facts with context and good facts.”

That’s all well and good, but at some point, one almost has to resort to using the tactic to describe it effectively. The Late Tony Snow, who performed the function under President George W. Bush, said at one point:

“If it got to the point where I thought it would cost me my credibility, I would have no choice but to walk away.”

That was a decade or more ago; might as well be calculated in light-years. That was pre-Obama. Don’t underestimate the importance of that timeline marker. Virtually everything that highlights the bright line of demarcation between the ideological poles was heightened and super-sensitized after the 2008 Election. The opposition slowly, surely, and systematically turned off all filters over the course of the Obama Administration. Fast forward to today, and we see that fake news is a thing, one that has been normalized, no less, and the concept of alternative facts has been invented. Both concepts seem to have permeated the day-to-day communications strategy of the current administration.

That leads us to the here and now. There has been a dizzying song and dance about the propensity, and arguably the wisdom of either taking the leader of this administration and of the free world, literally, but not seriously, or seriously, but not literally. I personally don’t think that nonsense even qualifies as spin. Rather, it is both seriously and literally bullshizzle! But that’s just me. (Or is it?)

Yesterday marked Day 60 of the current President’s first term. In those two months it’s perfectly fair to say, no matter what the WHPS’s salary is, he underpaid. He has unquestionably had to clean up more crap than a circus attendant. Laying Mr. Snow’s perspective to the side, I’ve seen no indication the incumbent has given any thought to walking away. Chances are, he’ll be asked to leave before he decides to do so.

Two months have been more than enough time for questions of credibility to arise. In fact, a number of sources have suggested that Mr. Spicer has pushed the envelope hard enough and often enough that reasonable people are within bounds to question whether this WHPS has fractured, ruptured, or flat out obliterated even the thinnest strain of credibility. No doubt some would suggest, and I concur, that he has not one scintilla (of credibility) remaining.

Here is an abbreviated list of (10) assertions Sean Spicer, in his role as Press Secretary, has made that numerous fact checking organizations found to be patently false allegations, including:

· The 2016 Presidential Inauguration crowd size was the biggest ever

· 14% of the 2008 Presidential Election voters were non citizens

· Paul Manafort played a very limited role in the campaign for a very limited time

· Philip Bilden is 100% committed to becoming Naval Secretary (after CBS reported he would withdraw, which subsequent to Spicer’s comment, he did)

· Obama used the British to tape Trump (After American Intelligence agencies said there was no evidence American Intelligence Agencies had done so), sparking an international incident. After that claim was also debunked, Spicer said it was silly to equate quoting a news story to support for that story.

· 45 won more Electoral votes than any Republican since Reagan

· CNN retracted statements questioning Kellyanne Conway’s Credibility

· There was no concern expressed about President Obama’s criticism of the Supreme Court

· The ban (which supposedly is not a ban) was always about specific countries, rather than about Muslims (though throughout the campaign, we were promised a Muslim Ban)

· The Jobs Reports were fake, but they are real now

Since most of the items above are downright laughable, I will not spend any extra time relating the details or timelines that refute the lunacy. I intentionally omitted the item that kicked off the most recent kerfuffle, though I included a related incident. Saturday before last, Mr. Spicer’s boss rendered a tweet accusing President Obama of wiretapping him (at Trump Tower). While the FBI and the other Intelligence Agencies have dismissed this as something that simply didn’t happen, Mr. Spicer repeatedly indicated that his bossed “believed” it happened. Considering his boss also believed (until mid-September 2016) President Obama was not American, and that he saw thousands of Muslims cheering in Jersey City in the wake of 9/11, there is obviously no accounting for what he “believes.” Having said that, I must pivot back to my opening premise, “The 30th WhiteHouse Press Secretary: When Spinning Spun Out of Control!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.